Inyentoe



(No Model.) 'H- L. BENSON. 2 Sheets-Smet 1.

BOOT.

No. 390,552. Patented Oct. Z. 1888.

Vrrl

Attorney (No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. H.I L. BENSON.

BOOT.

Patented Oct. 2, 1888.

l INVENTOR llllllllllllllw .dtorney N, PETERS. Photo-umgmpher, waghmgmn. uc.

NITE STATES PATENT EETCE.

HENRY L. BENSON, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO IIIMSELF, AND

SIGMUND LINDAUR AND OHARL OF NEW MEXICO.

ES H. DANE, OF DEMING, TERRITORY BOOT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentvNo. 390,552, dated October 2, 1888.

Application filed Apri` 2G, 1888. Serial No. 271,908. (No modell To aZZ whom it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, HENRY L. BENsoN,a citizen of the United States, residing at San Antonie, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boots or Shoes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which 1o it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to boots or shoes, and its object is to provide, in combination With acounter-support,acoil spring or springs secured, substantially as described, along the upper, to support the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will possess advantages in point of inexpensiveness, durability, and general efficiency.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical lon gitudinal sectional view. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line x m, Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line y y, Fig. l.. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the counter-support and shank.

Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same letters of reference.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a 3o combined counter-support and shank, preferably constructed of two sections of steel and riveted at or near their centers. This counter-support and shank is cross-shaped, thus comprising four arms, the side ones of which,

B B, and the rear one, C, are turned up, conforming to the sides of the boot, and form the countersupport, while the front arm, D, is straight and serves as a steel shank for the boot. The horizontal portions of the arms 4o forming the counter-support are preferably provided with perforations b and c, for securing the whole device in position upon the under side ofthe inner sole, e, of the boot E.

F designates the upper,which extends at its 4 5 lower rear end within the counteigconstructed with its seams ff turned outwardly, and at one or both sides of each seam are disposed coilsprings G G, preferably extending from near the top of the upper to a point near the 5o top ends of the side arms of the counter-support. A strip of leather,H H,is secured over the spring or springs and the seam at each side by stitching,thereby retaining thesprings in place and also giving a neatand attractive appearance to the boot.

It will be obvious that by disposing the coilspring upon the outside in the manner described a smooth and comfortable interior is afforded.

I claim as my inventionl. The hereindescribed combined counter stifi'ener and shank for boots or shoes, coniprising two strips pivoted together and having the side and rear arms bent up to form the stiffener and the straight front arm extended to form the shank, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with a boot or` shoe, a combined counter stiffener and shank composed of two strips pivoted together, forming a crossshaped plate, the side and rear arms of which are bent up to form the stifener, and having their horizontal portion perforated, and a straight front arm extended to form the shank, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, a boot or shoe having outturned side seams, coil-springs provided at the outside of the upper and adjacent said seams, strips for inclosing said seams and springs, and a combined counter-stiffener and shank comprising two strips pivoted together, forming a cross-shaped plate, the side and rear arms of which are bent upto form the stilfener and the straight arms extended to form the shank, substantially as set forth.

4.. The herein-described improvements in boots or shoes, consisting of the combined counterAstifener and shank having four arms extending from a common center ,the side arms being upturned, the upper having outwardlyturned seams,coil-springs provided at the outside ofthe upper and adjacentsaid seams,and strips for inclosing said seams and springs,sub stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY L. BENSON. Vitnesses:

T. F. PATTON, OTTER JOHNSON. 

